Clean Tech Daily — May 13, 2026
Australia's 2026–27 budget slashes its green hydrogen flagship program by 50%, while the U.S. Department of Energy circulates a new "retain/modify" list injecting fresh uncertainty into clean energy project funding. Meanwhile, BYD's flash-charging technology — enabling 5-minute EV top-ups — expands to mainstream models, marking a milestone in the global race to eliminate range anxiety.
Clean Tech Daily — May 13, 2026
Top Story
DOE Circulates Latest "Retain/Modify" List, Deepening Clean Energy Uncertainty
The U.S. Department of Energy has circulated its latest "retain/modify" awards list, injecting significant uncertainty into clean energy development at a moment when electricity and energy prices are already surging, according to the Clean Air Task Force.
The move continues a pattern that has left project developers guessing which Biden-era commitments will survive. At stake are billions of dollars in grants, loan guarantees, and cooperative agreements that many clean energy firms had been counting on to reach financial close on solar, wind, storage, and hydrogen projects. CATF warns the instability is chilling investment precisely when grid buildout is most urgently needed.
The list comes amid a broader federal tension: while the DOE's overall 2027 budget is set to increase, the amounts dedicated to environmental management, renewable energy research, and clean infrastructure face significant cuts — a split that has drawn sharp criticism from Senate Democrats. Foreign Policy, in a piece published May 11, also argues the moment calls for a fundamental rethink of top-down climate policy approaches. Together, these signals suggest the U.S. federal clean energy landscape will remain turbulent well into late 2026.
Solar & Wind
Europe's Largest Vanadium Flow Battery Nears Completion Invinity Energy Systems says its European project — set to enter service later in 2026 — will become the continent's largest vanadium flow battery installation once commissioned. The long-duration storage milestone is part of growing momentum in flow-battery technology as grids seek multi-hour storage solutions beyond lithium-ion.
BMW iX3 2027 Targets Range and Price Sweet Spot Starting at $61,500, the 2027 BMW iX3 offers up to 434 miles of range — undercutting rivals like the Porsche Macan Electric while delivering more range. The model's arrival underscores how premium European automakers are intensifying competition in the longer-range EV segment.
Duracell Enters UK EV Charging Market Consumer battery giant Duracell is launching an EV charging network in the United Kingdom, partnering with EV charging software company Driivz to operate the infrastructure. The move by a household brand signals that the EV charging sector is attracting mainstream consumer-goods companies seeking new revenue streams.
EVs & Batteries
BYD Brings 5-Minute Flash Charging to Mainstream Models
BYD is expanding its Flash Charging technology — which allows EVs to recharge from 10% to 70% in just five minutes — beyond luxury vehicles like the Denza Z9 GT and into its top-selling mainstream lineup. The company's Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging system, unveiled in April, had already set a benchmark by achieving 10%-to-97% in just nine minutes, even at temperatures as low as -30°C. Now BYD is pushing the technology down-market, potentially transforming the user experience for millions of buyers.
The expansion addresses one of the most persistent barriers to mass EV adoption. Industry analysts note that near-petrol-station parity on refuelling time — particularly for models in the mass-market price bracket — could be a pivotal inflection point for adoption curves in Asia and Europe.
Electric Truck Charging Network Scales Across the U.S. A newly updated map from CalStart now shows where electric truck charging is scaling nationally, with grid-capacity scenario layers showing projected peak charging loads for 2026, 2030, and 2035. The data is intended to help fleet operators, utilities, and policymakers plan infrastructure investment ahead of heavy-duty EV adoption curves.
Used EV Batteries Holding Value Better Than Expected New data from Recurrent shows the average EV retains 97% of its original range after three years and 95% after five years — better than many consumers expect. The finding is significant for used-EV markets and fleet buyers, potentially accelerating secondary-market liquidity and reducing total cost-of-ownership concerns.
Hydrogen & Emerging Tech
Australia Slashes Hydrogen Headstart Funding by 50% in 2026–27 Budget
Australia's 2026–27 federal budget cuts funding for the ARENA Hydrogen Headstart program by half, trimming it to A$1 billion from its previous allocation. The program had been one of Australia's flagship green hydrogen incentives, designed to bridge the cost gap for large-scale electrolytic hydrogen projects. The cuts come alongside updates to clean energy and EV discount funding, and adjustments to renewable project support — signalling a fiscal recalibration of ambitions even as the energy transition accelerates globally.
The decision is likely to reverberate beyond Australia, as it may dampen investor confidence in sovereign green hydrogen support at a time when projects are still seeking the scale needed to drive down costs. Industry groups are expected to push back strongly in coming weeks.
Circular Economy Breakthrough: Hydrogen from Plastic Waste and Old Car Battery Acid Researchers have demonstrated a system that converts hard-to-recycle plastics into clean hydrogen using sulfuric acid recovered from end-of-life car batteries, powered by solar energy. The circular upcycling approach tackles multiple waste streams simultaneously and requires no external fossil fuel input. Scientists say the system could be scaled to address both plastic pollution and green hydrogen production costs at once.
Policy & Investment
DOE's "Retain/Modify" List Stalls Clean Energy Projects The Clean Air Task Force reports that the DOE's latest internal awards review is creating material delays for clean energy developers who had been counting on federal grant and loan support. With energy prices rising, the timing is particularly painful for projects that need funding certainty to reach financial close before construction windows close.
Foreign Policy Calls for Rethink on Top-Down Climate Governance A May 11 Foreign Policy analysis argues there is "no such thing as climate policy for any government" in the traditional sense, making the case that decentralised, market-driven, and sub-national approaches are more durable than federal mandates. The piece reflects a growing debate inside U.S. climate circles as federal momentum stalls under the current administration.
U.S. States Step Into Federal Clean Energy Vacuum With federal clean energy policy in flux, a Center for American Progress report (published late April) documents how states are advancing policies to tackle climate change, lower energy bills, improve air quality, and support clean energy jobs — often in direct response to federal rollbacks. Seventeen states are cited as having enacted or accelerated clean energy standards in 2026 alone.
By the Numbers
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Hydrogen Headstart Budget Cut | A$1B (50% reduction) | From prior allocation; part of 2026–27 budget announced May 12 |
| BYD Flash Charge Time (10%–70%) | 5 minutes | Expanding from luxury to mainstream EV lineup |
| BYD Flash Charge Time (10%–97%) | 9 minutes | Functional even at -30°C ambient temperature |
| Average EV Range Retention at 3 Years | 97% of original | Per Recurrent data across U.S. EV fleet |
| Average EV Range Retention at 5 Years | 95% of original | Better than most consumer estimates |
What to Watch This Week
- Australia's hydrogen industry response: Expect industry bodies and project developers to respond publicly to the 50% Hydrogen Headstart budget cut — lobbying and project delays are likely to emerge within days.
- U.S. DOE "retain/modify" fallout: Watch for project developers to disclose which clean energy awards have been flagged for modification or cancellation, which could trigger further investment freezes or legal challenges.
- BYD mainstream flash charging rollout: Track which specific mainstream BYD models receive the 5-minute charging upgrade first, and whether Chinese rivals (CATL, SAIC) announce competitive responses in the coming days.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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